On Friday the members of Phi Delta Theta fraternity at Hopkins were officially initiated by their General Headquarters as full members of the fraternity. The following day, the Hopkins chapter was installed as the Maryland Delta of Phi Delta Theta.
The Hopkins Chapter of Phi Delta Theta began colonizing in the fall of 2008 and was approved by the Inter-Fraternity Council on Feb. 13. The fraternity was installed with 45 founding fathers.
According to Rob Turning, Greek Life coordinator at Hopkins who is also a Phi Delta Theta alumnus, it generally takes one to two years for colonies to be chartered.
In order to be approved by the General Headquarters, the fraternity's national organization, the chapter had to meet a number of requirements. According to the Phi Delta Theta Web site, a fraternity must have at least 35 members when it is installed, and is expected to grow to the average size of other Greek organizations in its University.
In addition, the chapter must establish an alumni advisory committee, show community service involvement and educate itself about the fraternity's history and values.
To be formally installed, the chapter must also file a petition with the general headquarters.
According to Justin Shen, the president of the Hopkins Chapter of Phi Delta Theta, the chapter prepared a petition of over 150 pages, which included the chapter's mission statement, organizational structure and a self-prepared history of Phi Delta Theta.
"There were definitely times when it was a lot of work, but I'm very happy with the results. I wouldn't change anything I've done," Shen said.
The Hopkins chapter of Phi Delta Theta was noted by the national organization for having best practices in its colonization program in phikeia education (pledging), recruitment and scholarship.
"[General Headquarters] wants these programs as a standard for other Phi Delta Theta colonies. ?These programs do not rely on any big events but rather on techniques," Andrew Sender, vice president of the Hopkins chapter, wrote in an e-mail to The News-Letter. "For instance our recruitment policy is to recruit all year long. Phikeia education is focused solely on the learnings of Phi Delta Theta's values and cardinal principals by meeting every week.?And our scholarship program focuses on the relaxation of studying by having a scholar mentor and recognizing those in need of academic help."
Turning noted that Phi Delta Theta presented the opportunity to expand participation in Greek life at Hopkins.
"So far, I'd say they have recruited guys that typically wouldn't have joined a fraternity.?They've had a lot of success with recruitment already, bringing in 45 people. Hopefully they raise the bar for all groups," Turning said.
Shen felt that Phi Delta's initiation process was part of its appeal to students.
"Obviously, we are one of the few [fraternities] that genuinely don't haze. A lot of people say 'How can you have brotherhood without hazing?' We say real brothers wouldn't haze each other. You don't go home for Thanksgiving and make your brother chug a beer," Shen said.
"We still have pledging, but its more centered around team building and just getting to know each other."
Sender wrote that personally, he felt the fraternity had positively impacted his life at Hopkins.
"Joining Phi Delta Theta as a founding father was one of the best decisions I made for my personal life. ?Because of our year round recruitment policy, I'm constantly meeting a new friend.?I feel much more involved on campus this year than previous years.?And I always enjoy hanging out with my brothers," Sender said.
